On the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons, celebrated on October 1st, the Consell Comarcal del Vallès Oriental has adhered to the manifesto promoted by various administrations and entities in the region. This year's slogan, "We retire from work, not from life," aims to highlight the role of older adults in society.
The manifesto emphasizes that older adults represent over twenty percent of the population in Catalonia, exceeding one million six hundred thousand people, and calls for a society that recognizes, respects, and values them as an essential part of the social fabric. It is stressed that aging should not be synonymous with invisibility, ageism, or precariousness, but rather they should be recognized as subjects of full rights, living memory, and drivers of social cohesion.
The guarantee of social rights throughout life is advocated, including a solvent public pension system, universal healthcare, and accessible dependency care. The manifesto points out the need to eradicate poverty in old age through sufficient pensions and the recognition of the value of care.
Furthermore, the right to decide how to live, with whom to live, and how to be cared for is claimed, defending person-centered care models that respect individual will. Any discrimination based on age, gender, or origin is rejected, denouncing the inequality suffered by many older women and demanding their recognition, safety, and freedom from sexist violence.
The text also addresses the issue of unwanted loneliness, isolation, and mistreatment, advocating for the strengthening of community networks and public policies that prioritize life. The right to remain active, with real opportunities for social and cultural participation, and to access lifelong learning, overcoming the digital divide, is defended.
Finally, the manifesto calls for intergenerational commitment to face climatic, social, and democratic challenges, defending peace and conflict resolution through dialogue. It urges collaboration to build a more inclusive society that guarantees everyone's rights, affirming that "a society that cares for its older adults is a society that cares for itself."
This action by the Consell Comarcal aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) number 1, 3, 5, and 10, reaffirming its commitment to Agenda 2030.
